Monday daybook: The week ahead

Monday

Aug 30, 2010 at 12:01 AMAug 30, 2010 at 5:22 PM

News first, fun second.

Corina Curry will be with the Rockford City Council when it meets tonight. I asked her for a preview. Here's what's coming up at the Finance and Personnel Committee:City leaders are expected to discuss whether they should hire a Wisconsin-based consultant to help them figure out what areas of city business should be outsourced or merge with Winnebago County to save money. City Administrator Jim Ryan spoke to aldermen about the potential hire at a budget retreat last weekend. The idea comes forward as part of the city-county efforts of the Joint Task Force on Governmental Efficiencies, formed earlier this year to study both consolidation and outsourcing opportunities.The consultants would study eight areas, identified by the task force, and propose ways in which the city and county could either join forces to operate more efficiently or help the government agencies shave costs as they head into a deficit year. The city expects to spend $15,000 to hire the firm. They expect Winnebago County to chip in $5,000.From Winnebago County, Mike Wiser reports that the county's Finance Committee will hold a special budget meeting Tuesday night. It will be the first look at the administration's presentation for what fiscal year 2011 will look like.

Sean F. Driscoll writes in his blog that he's reporting on what the fall unemployment picture might look like. He's looking August, September and October trends that go back 30 years.

This week Jeff Kolkey is writing about the Rock River Development Partnership and progress it has made, and he's going inside EIGERlab to look at its incubation services. Read more in his blog.

Chuck Sweeny writes in his blog that Chicago Rockford International Airport seems momentarily stuck. Passenger and freight service has stagnated. We have the nationís best air show, but that hasnít lured major private investment.

Now to the fun stuff. On the Waterfront officially opens Thursday night with its kickoff concerts, Weird Al Yankovic at the Coronado followed by Dierks Bentley at Davis Park. The festival really gets going on Friday and continues through Sunday. You can read more about things to do this week here. The Register Star's annual OTW guide will be included in Wednesday's paper.

doug gass

News first, fun second.

Corina Curry will be with the Rockford City Council when it meets tonight. I asked her for a preview. Here's what's coming up at the Finance and Personnel Committee:City leaders are expected to discuss whether they should hire a Wisconsin-based consultant to help them figure out what areas of city business should be outsourced or merge with Winnebago County to save money. City Administrator Jim Ryan spoke to aldermen about the potential hire at a budget retreat last weekend. The idea comes forward as part of the city-county efforts of the Joint Task Force on Governmental Efficiencies, formed earlier this year to study both consolidation and outsourcing opportunities.The consultants would study eight areas, identified by the task force, and propose ways in which the city and county could either join forces to operate more efficiently or help the government agencies shave costs as they head into a deficit year. The city expects to spend $15,000 to hire the firm. They expect Winnebago County to chip in $5,000.From Winnebago County, Mike Wiser reports that the county's Finance Committee will hold a special budget meeting Tuesday night. It will be the first look at the administration's presentation for what fiscal year 2011 will look like.

Sean F. Driscoll writes in his blog that he's reporting on what the fall unemployment picture might look like. He's looking August, September and October trends that go back 30 years.

This week Jeff Kolkey is writing about the Rock River Development Partnership and progress it has made, and he's going inside EIGERlab to look at its incubation services. Read more in his blog.

Chuck Sweeny writes in his blog that Chicago Rockford International Airport seems momentarily stuck. Passenger and freight service has stagnated. We have the nationís best air show, but that hasnít lured major private investment.

Now to the fun stuff. On the Waterfront officially opens Thursday night with its kickoff concerts, Weird Al Yankovic at the Coronado followed by Dierks Bentley at Davis Park. The festival really gets going on Friday and continues through Sunday. You can read more about things to do this week here. The Register Star's annual OTW guide will be included in Wednesday's paper.